2022 could be the year of Linux malware

The number of malware (malicious code) detected on Linux environments is increasing alarmingly, along with the popularity of Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

This is purely a judgment drawn from reality, because according to a study published by Crowdstrike recently, the number of malicious code detected on Linux in 2021 has increased by 35% compared to 2020.

Basically, there are many, if not 'countless', IoT devices that can become the target of malicious activities, because they are often easily hijacked to become part of the network. DDoS attack. These devices typically run on basic Linux distributions that can only perform a few essential functions. But when their power combines and resonates with each other, the power generated is absolutely enough to deploy damaging DDoS attacks on a large scale.

2022 could be the year of Linux malware Picture 1 2022 could be the year of Linux malware Picture 1

There are also other reasons for attackers to target these IoT smart devices. For example, they can support cryptocurrency mining, act as a command and control server (C2 server), or even act as an access point to a corporate network.

For more complex systems in large-scale organizations and enterprises, vulnerabilities tend to be patched quickly with software updates. However, in the opposite direction, there are very few updates that are applied and applied properly on small devices. This situation leaves devices with vulnerabilities that hackers can easily target and abuse.

As reported by Crowdstrike, XorDDoS, Mirai and Mozi are the most popular malware families in the open source world at the moment. They account for about 22% of Linux-targeted malware attacks observed in 2021.

If this trend continues, we could expect to see even more malware strains appear on Linux devices by 2022. If there is an easily accessible security hole, hackers are sure to You're sure to find them, no matter what operating system you're on.

In general, with the strong development of malicious code targeting Linux, users and enthusiasts of this operating system will have to be more cautious in the process of using it. There's no better precaution than updating your device regularly when patches are available to keep it safe. Updates not only add new features, but also come with patches that help keep your device/system secure.